Supporting family caregivers at end of life
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Supporting family caregivers in the transition between hospital and their relative's preferred place for end of life care
IRAS ID
208275
Contact name
Sue Duke
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 11 days
Research summary
There is robust evidence about the support needs of family carers providing end of life care and how this can be provided. However, a recent national survey of carers found that only half received the support they needed and this support was less likely to be provided in hospital (National Council for Palliative Care 2012). Similarly, a recent study of discharge in older adults found that most family caregivers are not involved in discharge decisions (Waring et al, 2014). In contrast, The Care Act (2014) requires that family members are informed of and agree to any decision which involves them in discharge planning, and if the discharge plan requires them to undertake a caregiving role on discharge, they consent to this plan and be offered an independent assessment of their needs. Our study aims to ensure that family caregivers of those being discharged at the end of life understand and are supported in the work that they undertake to facilitate discharge.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0330
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion